PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Nov. 8, 2008) — Pulaski County Assessor Roger Harrison, D-Laquey, raised and spent less money than any other candidate on Tuesday who turned in a campaign finance report — less than $300 compared to his opponent’s expenses of more than five times that amount — but still won by a 7,418 to 5,287 margin over his opponent, Republican Ed Warden, who lives north of St. Robert.

Unlike most county officials whose terms end on Dec. 31, Harrison’s term doesn’t end until the fall of 2009. When he’s sworn in then, he’ll take office for his sixth consecutive four-year term.

“I’m humbled, but happy and relieved,” Harrison said on election night after the last absentee ballots were counted. “I’m happy that I know what happened.”

No major changes are predicted for the next year, said Harrison, who attributed his election victory to persistence and commitment to public service.

“It’ll be the same old, same old, pretty much,” Harrison said. “I hope that over time, the voters trust me, and also I have a lot of family and friends who support me.”

Tax bills have already been prepared and are ready for County Collector Terri Mitchell to send out, Harrison said.

“The collector indicated that she would send out the bills this week, but that’s her task and I don’t want to speak for her,” Harrison said.

One of Harrison’s employees, David Brown, was struck by another vehicle in a car wreck that caused extensive damage to a 2001 Jeep Cherokee owned by the assessor’s office. Harrison said Tuesday night that he’ll make that one of his first priorities on the day after the election, and said he’s glad nobody was hurt in the wreck.

Harrison said he’s glad the crash, which was covered by local print and radio media, didn’t happen shortly before the election.

“It’s a good thing the election was today and not tomorrow,” Harrison said Tuesday night.